Dog wipes are specially formulated to be used on animals, and as long as you’re using them as directed, they’re completely safe for your pet. However, be sure to read the instructions on the package so you know where you can and can’t use the wipes—some aren’t designed for use inside a dog’s ears or around their eyes and may be harmful to these sensitive areas.

Can dog wipes be used on other pets?

Some dog wipes are safe to use on cats and other animals, but not all are. For this reason, you shouldn’t assume you can use dog wipes on your other pets. Instead, check the packaging of the wipes—most will clearly indicate whether they can be used on cats—and if there’s no clear answer, err on the side of caution.

Are human wipes safe on dogs?

If you run out of dog wipes, you may be tempted to use baby wipes or other human wipes to clean your dog. However, this isn’t advisable for a few reasons. First, the pH of human skin and dog skin is different says Dr. McCarthy, so human wipes may cause irritation, dryness, or itching on your dog. Further, dogs tend to lick themselves after you wipe them off, and the ingredients used in baby wipes may not be safe for consumption. A better option is to use a damp hand towel to wipe down your dog.

The 10 Best Dog Wipes of 2023

Sure, you could give your dog a bath every time they get muddy paws, but dog wipes present a time-saving alternative. Specialized wipes can even address unpleasant odors, or clean sensitive areas like ears, eyes, and even teeth. We evaluated numerous dog wipes in consultation with a veterinarian, and closely researched the best combinations of softness, durability, and quality ingredients for a wide variety of cleaning scenarios.

Our favorite dog wipes are Pogi's Fragrance-Free Grooming Wipes, which combine gentle ingredients and a sturdy texture in a large, useful size. But if you have a specific purpose in mind, such as cleaning your dog's ears, eyes, or paws, there are other wipes we love that might work even better for your dog.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Pogi's Grooming Wipes at Amazon

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Best for Ears:

Pet MD Dog Ear Cleaner Wipes at Amazon

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Best for Eyes:

Miracle Care Eye Clear Sterile Eye Wash Pads at Amazon

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Best for Paws:

TrueBlue Pet Products Body & Paw Wipes at Amazon

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Best Dental:

Maxi-Guard Dental Cleansing Wipes at Amazon

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Best for Grooming:

Nature's Miracle Deodorizing Bath Wipes at Amazon

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Best for Anal Glands:

Glandex Anal Gland Hygienic Pet Wipes at Amazon

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Best Hypoallergenic:

Wild One Grooming Wipes at Amazon

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Best Compostable:

Earth Rated Dog Wipes at Amazon

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Best Extra Large:

Zoop Zoop Grooming Towels at Zoopbrand.com

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In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look for
FAQ
Why Trust The Spruce Pets

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Pogi’s Grooming Wipes are our favorite thanks to their versatility, eco-friendly ingredients, and large, quilted design. At 8 by 9 inches, Pogi's dog wipes are big enough for substantial cleaning jobs. The large size is complemented by the sturdy design, which uses sustainable bamboo fibers for a durable, quilted texture that's soft, but sturdy enough for wiping paws and dog butts.

Pogi's Grooming Wipes use a combination of aloe vera, vitamin E, and Hawaiian awapuhi—a close relative of ginger that acts as an antimicrobial. The wipes are free from parabens, alcohol, and chlorine, so they won't irritate dogs with skin sensitivities. They're even certified biodegradable and can be composted after use.

Available in packs of 100 or travel-sized packs with 20 wipes, you can also easily buy Pogi's in bulk combinations ranging up to 400. The Grooming Wipes are available either fragrance-free or with a green tea scent.

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The Pet MD Dog Ear Cleaner Wipes are ideal for cleaning out your dog’s ears, which can help to eliminate odors and prevent infections. The circular wipes come in packs of 100, and they’re soaked in a soothing formula that can help to remove dirt, waxy build up, and discharge from your pooch’s ears.

These ear wipes are safe for dogs over 12 weeks old, and they can be used regularly, as the formula is gentle and non-irritating. The alcohol-free formula is infused with aloe vera and eucalyptus oil, and the wipes are made in small batches to ensure freshness.

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If your dog often has goop in their eyes or develops “tear stains,” the Miracle Care Eye Clear Eye Wash can help remove eye debris and keep the area clean. The wipes come in containers of 90 or 180 pre-soaked pads, and the gentle formula won’t sting or cause irritation.

These eye pads can be used both in and around your dog’s eyes, and they’re safe for cats and other animals, as well. Plus, many pet owners like that these wipes are effective at removing tear stains on white dogs.

"Tear stains occur when normal eye discharge enzymes react with the air and the fur to cause staining," says Dr. McCarthy. "Dog wipes can help diminish tear stains by gently wiping the eye tearing away before it dries and settles into the fur."

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Does your dog track mud and dirt inside after playing in the yard? If so, the True Blue Super Fresh Wipes are an ideal choice for cleaning off their paws. These wipes are soaked with an all-natural botanical solution, and their large 8 x 7-inch size gives you more room to wipe off dirty dog feet.

The True Blue Wipes contain macadamia nut oil, as well as grapefruit oil. The wipes won’t leave your pet’s fur greasy or sticky after cleaning. While the wipes are safe when used on your dog's fur, you shouldn't use it on their face, as contact with eyes isn't recommended.

The 6 Best Dog Paw Balms of 2023

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If your pup doesn’t like having their teeth brushed, a dental wipe can help keep their teeth cleaner between professional cleanings (although they're not as effective as regular brushing). We like the Maxi-Guard Dental Cleansing Wipes. The pack contains 100 3-inch rounds made from a textured material. The wipes are tasteless, so they won’t bother your dog or encourage them to try to eat one while you wipe.

The Maxi-Guard Dental Wipes help to fight buildup, thanks to their zinc-based formula, and they can even help to freshen your dog’s breath. The wipes are appropriate for dogs of all ages, and they’re safe for long-term using.

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No time for a bath? You can get your dog looking clean and smelling fresh in no time with Nature’s Miracle Deodorizing Bath Wipes. You can get these wipes in several package sizes, ranging from 25 to 900 wipes, and there are two scents to choose from, as well—honey sage and spring waters.

What makes these wipes so great? They remove dirt, dander, and tough odors, but the formula is still mild enough for everyday use. The wipes are enriched with moisturizing conditioners that will leave your dog’s coat looking healthy and shiny, and the alcohol-free formula is appropriate for dogs of all ages.

The 10 Best Dog Brushes of 2023

Glandex Pet Wipes Cleansing & Deodorizing Anal Gland Hygienic Wipes for Dogs & Cats

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While it’s not a glamorous task, sometimes wiping your dog’s butt is necessary, especially if they have problems with their anal glands. The Glandex Pet Wipes are designed specifically to clean your pet’s behind after anal gland expression—they contain a non-toxic enzyme that naturally neutralizes unpleasant odors, as well as vitamin E, aloe, and moisturizers to soothe the area.

These wipes come in packages of 24, 75 or 100, and they’re alcohol free, and paraben free. They’re made from a thick premium cloth material (so they won't rip on you), and they’re safe for dogs of all ages, as well as kittens and cats.

Wild One

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The Wild One Grooming Wipes have a gentle formula that unlikely to irritate your dog's skin. These wipes come in packages of 70, and they’re designed to be used on your dog’s body, helping to clean their skin and fur while minimizing odors.

The human-grade wipes are made with coconut water and aloe, and they’re free from parabens, sulfates, alcohol, and chemical detergents. They’re safe to use around your dog’s face and outer ear, and the formula is mild enough for everyday use. Plus, the brand offers a 5 percent discount if you subscribe for recurring deliveries of the product.

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For those households that go through a lot of dog wipes, you can feel better about the Earth Rated Dog Wipes, which are 99 percent biobased and compostable, so you don’t have to put them in the trash. These wipes come in packages of 100 or 400, and they’re available in unscented and lavender options.

The Earth Rated Wipes are 8 x 8 inches, and the formula is made using natural ingredients like shea butter, aloe, and chamomile. They’re free from parabens, sulfates, and alcohol, and you can use them on puppies and cats, too.

Zoop

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Zoop Health + Odor Grooming Towels are 11.75 x 15.75 inches—large enough for a full body clean. They're designed to be used once every six days in place of a bath, and use naturally antibacterial nanosilver ions to kill stinky bacteria without stripping your dog's skin of their natural sebum layer.

Each unscented Zoop Grooming Towel is fully biodegradable, hypoallergenic, and individually packaged for easy travel. They're suitable for use on your dog's coat, and around their eyes, ears, mouth, paws, and rectum.

Final Verdict

For general everyday use, you can't go wrong with Pogi’s Grooming Wipes, which are durable, versatile, and affordable. You can even compost them when you're done cleaning your dog. However, to clean your dog's eyes, Miracle Care Eye Care Eye Wash Pads are extremely gentle and can help remove tear stains.

Ingredients

It’s always a good idea to look at the ingredients in dog wipes before you buy them. You may want to avoid ingredients like phthalates or parabens that may be linked to reproductive problems, and an alcohol-based formula may cause dryness or irritation. In general, you’ll want to look for dog wipes made from soothing ingredients.

"Some helpful ingredients in dog wipes that help prevent skin infections include ketoconazole, an antifungal, and chlorhexidine, an antibacterial agent. These ingredients help prevent yeast and bacterial skin infections in areas like facial folds and between toes and paw pads," says Megan McCarthy, DVM, Veterinarian at Best Friends Animal Society. "Ingredients such as glycerine and aloe also have moisturizing properties to help keep the skin healthy. In general, most pet wipes have been tested and approved to be safe for use in dogs and cats, however I recommend avoiding ingredients such as excessive fragrance or essential oils, as these can be very irritating to the skin."

Use

While some dog wipes are “all-purpose,” other products are only supposed to be used on certain areas of your dog’s body. If you’re planning to clean sensitive areas, such as your dog’s ears, eyes, or behind, you’ll want to make sure the wipes you choose are specifically designed for the task. Otherwise, you risk irritating your dog’s skin or potentially even hurting them.

"Dog wipes can also help certain breeds like English Bulldogs, which have many facial and skin folds," Dr. McCarthy says. "Wiping these folds clean several times a week can help prevent build-up of debris and prevent skin infections."

Scent

Many dog wipes have a scent that can help mask any unsavory odors lingering on their fur, and if you do get scented wipes, you’ll want to choose one that’s not too overpowering—after all, dogs have a much better sense of smell than we do, and you don’t want it to irritate them. However, if your dog has sensitive skin, you may want to opt for unscented wipes, as artificial fragrances can be irritating.

FAQ

Are dog wipes safe?

Dog wipes are specially formulated to be used on animals, and as long as you’re using them as directed, they’re completely safe for your pet. However, be sure to read the instructions on the package so you know where you can and can’t use the wipes—some aren’t designed for use inside a dog’s ears or around their eyes and may be harmful to these sensitive areas.
Can dog wipes be used on other pets?

Some dog wipes are safe to use on cats and other animals, but not all are. For this reason, you shouldn’t assume you can use dog wipes on your other pets. Instead, check the packaging of the wipes—most will clearly indicate whether they can be used on cats—and if there’s no clear answer, err on the side of caution.
Are human wipes safe on dogs?

If you run out of dog wipes, you may be tempted to use baby wipes or other human wipes to clean your dog. However, this isn’t advisable for a few reasons. First, the pH of human skin and dog skin is different says Dr. McCarthy, so human wipes may cause irritation, dryness, or itching on your dog. Further, dogs tend to lick themselves after you wipe them off, and the ingredients used in baby wipes may not be safe for consumption. A better option is to use a damp hand towel to wipe down your dog.

This article was researched and written by Camryn Rabideau, a lifelong animal lover and a current dog owner. She’s tested numerous pet products for The Spruce Pets, and she always keeps a package of Pogi's Grooming Wipes (view on Amazon) in her car, as her dog loves to roll in the mud (and sometimes other things) when they go for walks.

For additional background on dog wipes, we spoke to Megan McCarthy DVM, Veterinarian at Best Friends Animal Society, who spoke about ingredients to look for and how to use dog wipes.